World Cup 2018: Gareth Southgate’s ‘energetic and youthful’ England impress Roberto Martinez

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has praised Gareth Southgate’s work as England manager ahead of their Group G meeting in Kaliningrad.

Since reluctantly taking the reins following Sam Allardyce’s early dismissal Southgate has revolutionised the way the Three Lions play, putting his system ahead of the names in his side and developing something long missing from the national team, a plan.

Once qualification for this summer’s World Cup was assured, the former England Under-21 manager switched to a back three and has stuck with it ever since.

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His side face their first real test in Russia when they meet Belgium in the final group stage game on Thursday, and Martinez, who spent 21 years playing and managing in Britain, has been impressed with their development.

"For me, obviously, I am on the outside looking in, and what I see is Gareth Southgate has brought all his success from under-21 level and has developed an England culture," the former Everton manager said.

"I think there is a clear structure, there has been a real tactical awareness, there has been a change of system to go into different qualifying games.

He added: "They have found a system that suits this generation. There is a youth about them, an energy, a belief and a real desire."